Christy Carlson Romano Reveals Positive Cancer Screening Results

The actress shared an emotional video about her health journey and upcoming tests.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Christy Carlson Romano, known for her role on the Disney Channel series "Even Stevens," revealed in an emotional Instagram video that her recent cancer screening came back positive. The 41-year-old actress shared that her family has a history of cancer, with both of her parents and her maternal grandmother having been diagnosed. While her husband's screening results were negative, Romano's were not, and she is now preparing to undergo further testing, including a PET scan, to determine the next steps.

Why it matters

Romano's openness about her health journey sheds light on the importance of cancer screenings, especially for those with a family history of the disease. Her story also highlights the emotional toll that receiving a positive result can have, and the challenges of navigating the healthcare system to get the necessary tests and treatment covered.

The details

In her video, Romano became emotional as she shared the news of her positive screening results. She explained that she and her husband, Brendan Rooney, had both undergone cancer screenings, as her family has a history of the disease. While Rooney's results were negative, Romano's were not. The actress will now need to undergo a PET scan, which uses a radioactive tracer to check for signs of cancer. Romano said she is "fighting with companies to get" the scan "covered." She also expressed her grief over the recent passing of actor James Van Der Beek, who died at the age of 48 after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023.

  • On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Christy Carlson Romano shared the news of her positive cancer screening results in an emotional Instagram video.
  • Last February, Romano revealed that she had been shot in the eye while shooting clay pigeons as part of her husband's birthday celebration.

The players

Christy Carlson Romano

A 41-year-old actress known for her role on the Disney Channel series "Even Stevens." She recently underwent a cancer screening and received positive results, prompting her to share an emotional video on Instagram.

Brendan Rooney

Christy Carlson Romano's husband, who also underwent a cancer screening, but his results came back negative.

James Van Der Beek

A late actor who lived in Austin, Texas and was known for his role on the TV series "Dawson's Creek." He passed away in 2023 at the age of 48 after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

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What they’re saying

“I'm nervous and a bit scared,”

— Christy Carlson Romano (Instagram)

“You got this my beautiful wife. We will figure this out and destroy any problem that comes your way. I love you beyond words.”

— Brendan Rooney, Christy Carlson Romano's husband (Instagram)

What’s next

Christy Carlson Romano will now undergo a PET scan to further investigate the results of her positive cancer screening.

The takeaway

Christy Carlson Romano's openness about her health journey highlights the importance of cancer screenings, especially for those with a family history of the disease. Her story serves as a reminder to prioritize one's health and seek medical attention when necessary, even in the face of uncertainty and fear.